Hand starter for automobiles



Sept. 4, 1928. 1,683,111

J. WASHINGTON HAND STARTER FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed July 29, 1927 lNVENTOR AZTORNAZY cumstances as are recited above.

Patented Sept. 4, 192.3.

UNITED STATES JUIJUIES WASHINGTON, 0F RAVE-NA, NEW YORK.

HAND STARTER FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed July 29,

My invention relates to automobiles-and particularly to an auxiliary means for actuating the pedal switch ordinarily used in starting the motor.

All automobiles of the present day are equipped with electric starting motors which are put into action by depressing, with the foot, a button or pedal switch which extends up through the floor boards of the vehicle.

It frequently happens in operating an automobile that the motor is stalled while ascending a steep grade. With the present arrangement of the starting switch itis necessary for the operator, in such case, to first throw out the clutch with one foot and hold the car from backing down the hill by depressing the brake with the other foot. It is then necessary to apply the hand brake so that the car will notmove when the foot is removed from the brake pedal and then depress the starting switch with the foot which was upon the brake pedal.

The objects of my invention therefore are to eliminate this difliculty by providing a. means whereby the starter switch may be depressed not only'by the foot in ordinary circumstances, but by the hand under such cir- Another object of my invention is to provide a device of extremely simple character which is adapted for attachment to any car.

With these objects in view my invention includes the novel elements, combinations and arrangements of elements described below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1- is a fragmentary sectional view of so much of an automobile as is necessary to illustrate the attachment of my device;

Fig. 2-is a typical diagram illustrating the ordinary electric elements and wiring used in connection with the starting motor; and

Fig. 3 is a view of my hand starter as seen from the drivers seat.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the, instrument'board on the automobile, 2 is the windshield, 3 the seat, t the floor boards and, 5 is the partition at the rear of the engine compartment. In most. cars the starting button, 6, is located quite close to the partition, 5, where it may be reached by theright footof the operator and depressed.

' The depression of the button, 6, closes the switch, 7 and completes the electrical circuit from the storage battery, 8, through the starting motor, 9. I

1927. Serial No. 209,377.

Attachedto the partition, 5, andpreferably in the same longitudinal, vertical plane as the starting button, 6, is the hinged element, 10, comprising the member, 11, which is bolted or otherwise secured to the partition, and the member, 12, hinged to the member, 11, at 13. The member, 12,'is of sufficient length to extend over the button, 6,

and preferably somewhat beyond, as shown..

other material to prevent rattling. In or-' der to prevent the hinged member, 12, from lying in contact with the button, 6, the tension spring 18, is provided. One end of this spring is secured to the lever, 14, by any suitable means and the other end is secured beneath the cowl, or at any other convenient place, so that the lever, 14, will only be pulled upwardly. The upward movement of the leverwill be limited by the top of the slot in the member, 17 and the member, 12, will thus be held away from the button, 6.

It will be apparent from the above ,de

scription that the starter may be operatedeither by pressing the extremity of the member, 12, with the foot or by pulling the handle, 15, downwardly to the position, 15', as shown in Fig. 1. The lever, 14:,JiS'Of such length that very little effort is required to press the handle, 15, and it will also be'noted that the movement of the handle is directly downwa'rd. This feature of my device makes it much easier to operate'than an arrangement whereby it would be necessary to press the. lever directly in the direction in which the button, 6, moves. There are no concealed. moying parts and no lubrication whatever 1s necessary. In

While I have described my invention in its preferredembodiment it is to be understoodthatthe words which I have used are words of description rather than of 'limitation and that changes within the purview of the iappended claims may be made without departing from the true-scope and spirit of my invention in its broadest aspects.

What I claim is+ v 1. In a motor vehicle havin an indgrument board, the combination wit an electric for starting the motor and adapted to 'be actuated by the foot of the operator, of a hinged element connected to said vehicle and havinga movable member extending over said switch, a lever connected to said {fin element and extending upwardl and tor, and a slotted element attached to said instrument board" and forming a guide hinged element.

said partition and the other, movable mem ber extending over said switch, a lever conardly below theinstrument boar to apoint within easy reach of the vehicle opera-i vehicle having a partition tension spring normall in elevated position an the movable member out of contact with said switch.

. 3. Ina motor vehicle, havin switch for starting the motorand adapted to be 010M b i the foot of the operator, of a hinged mem r disposed over and extending beyond said switch to form a foot pedal for actuating thesame, a lever attached to said pedal and extendingl upwardly and backwardly to a point wit in easy reach of the operator for actuating said hand, a guide member for said pedal by ever se-' nected to saidmovable member and extend- 25 ing upwardly and backwardly' to apoint within easy reach 'of the o rator, and a. ho ding the lever i an instru: men't board, the combination wit an electric cured-tothe instrument board and adapted to permit said lever to move in a vertical plane about the axis of the hinged member,

and s ring meansfor normally holding the hand. ever in elevated position.

" JULUIES WASHINGTON. 

